BYD launches low-cost Dolphin Surf EV in Europe

The model is sold as the Seagull in China.

Chinese EV maker has launched its low-cost Dolphin Surf EV in Europe. It is the brand’s 10th model to go on sale on the continent.

The model is sold as the Seagull in China. The car will sell at three price points, from 22,990 euros (approx. Rs. 22 lakhs) for a 322-kilometre range, to 24,990 euros (Rs. 24 lakhs) for a 507-kilometre range. The three versions will be available at a discounted price of 19,990-24,990 euros until the end of June, sales chief Patrick Schulz said.

The launch of the Dolphin Surf will pile pressure on European carmakers to offer more affordable EV options, with cost still being a major barrier to the wider adoption of electrics.

As of now, only a handful of models, such as the Dacia Spring or Leapmotor's T03, are on sale in Europe for under 20,000 euros, although 11 new models priced under 25,000 euros will go on sale this year, including Volkswagen's ID.2, the Renault R5, the Fiat Grand Panda, and the Hyundai Inster.

"The compact segment is the next frontier for electrification in Europe," Maria Grazia Davino, BYD regional managing director for markets including Germany, said in Berlin. "We think this market has huge potential."

Sales of the Seagull have risen 45% to 170,000 globally so far this year, said BYD. BYD surpassed Tesla last year to become the world's largest EV manufacturer. The brand will enter 12 new markets in Europe this year, Davino said, with sales locations to expand to over 1,000.

Source: Reuters